Were you the lucky recipient of a pair of whimsical socks this holiday season? Perhaps even lucky enough to get a whole pack of classic white tube socks? As a child we dreaded tearing open that colorful paper only to see more socks. God forbid we get multiple packs from multiple relatives! As we’ve gotten older it’s not as painful (hey, we can always use more socks), but it’s not exactly a thrill either. So how did socks become the go-to gift for those last minute shoppers? Why did these polyester and cotton foot wraps gain such popularity (or notoriety) in the gift world? Why not headbands or tank tops or pants?

First of all, unlike other garments, socks are easy to size. We don’t have to wonder if Aunt Suzie is a size 8 or 12 and run the risk of offending her if we guess a size too high. Sock sizing is never an exact science and it was never meant to be.

Second: There is a wide variety of socks. Your brother is a businessman who could probably use some all black dress socks. Your sister loves cats, and chances are it will be pretty easy to find a set of socks with cats on them. And babies! The sock choices for tiny toes are endless. Even if you pick a pair at random you can’t go wrong.

Third: You’ll never know if they hate them or not. Say you did get Aunt Suzie a size that was just too baggy, or your sister decided the day before Christmas that she actually hates cats. You’ll never know! It’s not like a scarf that would be conspicuously missing from their wardrobe. They can throw them out, toss them in a bin in the back of a closet, or just ignore them every day as they dig through their sock drawer for a more preferred pair and you would never know the difference. Unless you’re the kind of person who goes up to your friends and relatives and asks to see their socks, but I hope that’s not the case.

So how can you break the cycle of this too-easy gift? You don’t have to think too far outside the box to give a gift that makes a much bigger impact than a utilitarian garment. Here are a few ideas:

1. Wine or Whiskey (or other drink of choice). Alcohol always adds to festivities (and can help a stressed host unwind after the festivities are over). Whether the recipient likes gin and tonic or craft beer, this is a gift you can easily pick up and that will certainly be enjoyed, whether at that moment or at a later time. Bonus tip: Easily wrap in a gift bag with some tissue paper on top!

2. A Book. There are books on every subject imaginable, and most of them are readily available online. That sister who likes cats would probably like to read a book about cats from around the world rather than wear colorful cats on her feet. Crazy cousin Lenny might get a kick out of a book of weird facts. Cookbooks for people who love to cook (or need to learn how to cook), autobiographies written by admired celebrities, history books for the history buff... the list is endless. Just think of interests and hobbies of the person you need a gift for and the answer will come to you. If the person isn’t a reader, you could always go with a coffee table book full of stunning photos.

3. Tickets. Whether it’s a gift card for the local cinema, great seats to see their favorite sports team, or concert tickets for a band they love, these come at all price points—and you’re giving the gift of an experience complete with memories, which is something socks can never provide. Bonus tip: These can usually be purchased online—no need to leave the house!

Last-minute shopping is easier than you think, and taking a tiny bit of extra effort can make a huge difference. And if you have your heart set on giving socks (or you already bought them), they will “pair” well with any of the ideas listed above.